12 Home Remedies For Treating Seasonal Allergies

Home Remedies for Allergies

This time of year people are plagued with allergies. With Spring upon us, everything is in bloom. This can bring on hay fever. While there are over the counter synthetic drugs that you can take, there are side effects to take into account. An alternative that you may want to try without as many negative side effects are some home remedies. I’ll go over some home remedies here that you can make at home with simple ingredients that you can get at your grocery store.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Adding a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar into a glass of water, along with some fresh cut lemon juice, is one of the best ways to clear allergies. It is recommended to drink it in the morning. You can, however, drink it whenever you have an allergy attack. It is known to be a natural “sinus flush,” that will help clear up your allergies.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in sardines, salmon, flax seeds, and walnuts. They can also be found in shellfish and pasteurized animals. Omega-3 fatty acids are naturally anti-inflammatory, so this is a great option for those who are suffering from allergies.

Local Raw Honey

Raw honey has many benefits, especially when it comes to reducing allergies. First, because it contains bee pollen, it can ward off infections, allergies, and boost immunity. If you are allergic to local pollen, then local raw honey may help you overcome your allergies. Because the bees go from flower to flower collecting pollen that you are allergic to, eating local raw honey may help build your immunity to the pollen. Another reason why honey is so good is that it contains many enzymes that support your immune system function. For the best results, eat at least one teaspoon of local raw honey a few times a day. If possible, you may want to try this routine a month before allergy season.

Probiotics

Studies are showing that a mother’s gut bacteria during pregnancy and nursing can make the child get allergies throughout life. Although you can’t change how your mother ate, you can improve your diet by consuming beneficial bacteria. Eating probiotics can help with allergies. You will want to eat plenty of fermented foods and drinks. Products such as yogurt and kefir are good foods to buy.

Spices

Some spices have been known to help with allergies. Turmeric is one spice that relieves inflammation. Cinnamon and licorice root, which can be found in teas, can also ease breathing. Other spicy foods you can try include onions, garlic, ginger, horseradish, hot peppers, and hot mustard.

Herbal Teas

Many herbs can help with allergies, such as goldenrod and elderflower. Goldenrod helps the body remove excess mucus. It also contains high levels of anti-inflammatory constituent quercetin. Elderflower is another great herb that can be made into tea, and be consumed before allergy season starts. Another common herb that is used during allergy season is stinging nettle. Stinging nettle can be added into your tea.

Reishi Mushrooms

Reishi mushrooms are known to help clear allergies, as well as other health problems. Studies have shown that they contain anti-allergenic properties.

Leafy Vegetables

Vegetables such as kale, collards, spinach, and other leafy greens contain essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and enzymes, which will reduce inflammation. They can also keep your respiratory system in optimal shape.

Red Onion Water

Red onions naturally improve your breathing. To make this drink, slice some onions into the water, and allow it to sit for 12 hours.

Essential Oils

Lavender, eucalyptus, rose, or peppermint essential oils can help treat allergies. With lavender and peppermint essential oils, you can mix a few drops of it with a carrier oil and apply it on your sinuses and bottom of your feet. With eucalyptus and rose essential oils, you can apply some onto a cloth and inhale it.

Drink Plenty of Water

You can never go wrong with drinking lots of water during allergy season. Drinking water can help keep the mucus membranes stayed hydrated, and therefore reduce that dry, scratchy feeling.

Change Clothes After Being Outside

If you have been outside, even for a small amount of time, you will want to change your clothes when you come in. Make sure to wash your clothes, and dry them inside. Don’t put them on the clothesline outside. You may want to take a shower when you come inside.

Best Allergy Medicine

There are many allergy medicines to try if the natural allergy remedies didn’t work, or if you think medicine will work best. You can find allergy medicines at your local stores, or you can buy it online. I’ll go over a few different kinds of allergy medicines that can hopefully help relieve you from seasonal allergies.

Allegra Allergy 24 Hour

The Allegra Allergy 24 Hour medicine is a great option for those who are suffering from allergies. It will not cause any sleepiness. In fact, it is recommended explicitly for airline pilots and others who need to stay awake the whole day. It is available in both a tablet and gel. There are 70 doses in each bottle. One bottle of this should last you over two months. There is also a kids version from Allegra, which comes in a liquid 12-hour dose. It can be used on adults as well, but the kid’s version may not have as much of an impact on adults. The allergy medicine for children also comes in the form of a meltable tablet. Overall, Allegra’s allergy medicine is an excellent choice for those who are suffering from seasonal allergies.

Nasacort Allergy 24 Hour

Nasacort is a steroid spray and contains the active ingredient triamcinolone. Triamcinolone is known to treat inflammation in the nose. Unlike some steroid sprays, this product does not contain any alcohol and scent. This means that it should not irritate sensitive noses. One bottle should last you through the allergy season.

Alaway Antihistamine Eye Drop

Alaway is an inexpensive allergy medicine to try. Like all eye drop allergy medicines, you should not take it every day since studies have shown that it has toxic effects on the ocular surface. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take any of this medicine, but rather only take it once in a while.

Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Before you take medicine for allergies, you will want to know whether you have allergies or not. Most symptoms of seasonal allergies, also called hay fever, are like those of a cold. Here are a few symptoms of allergies:

Itchy nose

Itchy throat

Sneezing, irritability

A cough

Postnasal drip

Sinus pressure

Itchy Ears

Headaches

Decreased sense of smell

Snoring

Sleep apnea

Itchy eyes

Fatigue

Asthma

Conclusion

I’ve gone through some home remedies that you may want to try, to decrease your allergy symptoms. If one remedy doesn’t work, try another. What works for one person may not work as well for another. I hope that this article helps your sniffles decrease so that you can enjoy the beauty of the seasons without having to miss out on the fun and stay inside.

Mariann Foster is one of our content writers here at OurStart. Mariann is a certified reading specialist who enjoys homeschooling her daughter and taking care of her alpacas in her spare time. She lives in Wyoming on an alpaca farm with her daughter and their various collection of big and small animals. Being a mother is her greatest gift, so she hopes she can help to encourage other moms through her writing.